Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Masahiko Koumura on the border conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea

February 6, 1999

According to the statement made by the Ethiopian Government on 6th of February, the Eritrean force has started a full scale attack against Ethiopia near northern border on 6th of February. And on the same day, the Eritrean Government also issued a statement which states that the Ethiopian army started large scale attack against Eritrea on 6th of February. It is highly deplorable to see such a development of the conflict while the mediation efforts of the international community led by the OAU are underway.

Japan strongly urges both countries to cease immediately taking any military action against each other.